Busy ladies auxiliary seeks reinforcements

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary are finding themselves pretty busy at Post 4265 on East Victory Way. So busy, in fact, that they're looking to the community for some reinforcements.

The ladies host the monthly senior dinners on the first Saturday of every month. Auxiliary members also are the driving force behind the city's Hometown Hero's picnic each May, the veterans dinner in November, the Voice of Democracy and Patriotic Pens youth programs, senior bingo, high school scholarships and Huck Finn Days.

With all that activity, it's no wonder auxiliary president Penny Nelson is looking for some new members to help.

"Our members are getting up in the years," Nelson said. "We want to keep going in the community, so we decided to start holding yearly membership drives."

This year's membership drive will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the VFW post headquarters, 419 E. Victory Way.

The ladies will be serving iced tea and coffee with cookies, and they encourage any interested women to check out the organization.

"We want anyone to stop by and see what we do and to find out if you're eligible for membership," Nelson said.

The spouses of veterans who served overseas, as well as daughters or sisters of veterans who served in foreign wars can join the auxiliary.

By joining the organization, new members will become part of a group that's been active in Craig for more than 60 years, Nelson said. Members will be available Saturday to answer questions from applicants.

The ladies auxiliary also helps with a number of activities related to veterans. They host bi-monthly bingo tournaments to raise money to help cover the cost of funerals for veterans.

The women also give money to youth programs across the city.

In February, they gave $200 to the Bad Dog Youth Wrestling program to cover the costs of traveling to tournaments.

Nelson invites anyone interested to drop by Saturday, or to call her at 824-1793.

Dan Olsen can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 207, or dolsen@craigdailypress.com.

What: VFW Ladies Auxiliary membership drive

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: VFW post headquarters, 419 E. Victory Way

For more information, call organization president Penny Nelson at 824-1793.